Please help me make up my mind...

[bluffskier]

Ok, I'm super new to black powder. Anyway I did get my 1858 peitta in from Cabela's last Friday. I took it to this good out door range and fired it 18 times. Great fun, it was my first time. I started out with 20 gr of triple se7en for the first 12 shots. Running a swab down the barrel and cleaning after every 6. Anyway I get to shot 13 and the barrel catch (the thing that secures the loading lever when not in use) comes off the gun. . I guess this se7en is super hot!! lol. I called Cabela's when I got home and they said I could return it to the store in Buda, TX, which is about 220 miles north. Just north of San Marcos, which has big time shopping for the wife, plus the Alamo for me to see (it never gets old, I'm not even from texas either) in San Antonio and the River Walk for the wife too. With the trip being justified I set off and picked up the last one they had. Looked great, I get home and the rear adjustable sight is super slanted to the side. Keep in mind that I'm not ranting here, just need some pointers.

I really love the stainless look for the 1858 Peitta, but this is too much for me to handle. I have everything I need for the gun and extra parts cylinder too, all unused in orignal packing. HERE'S THE DELIMA- I noticed they have the Walker at Cabela's too, for 10 bucks more than the Peitta I have. The Walker is like a chick at the bar, the more you look at her, the more convinced you need her in your life. The Walker is a Uberti also. Which appears to get better reviews.

Another question- How is the durability of the the topless frames such as the colt design. That was what orginally turned me off to them but now I am reconsidering my descision. How does the topless frame handle the higher powder loads of the Walker over time? I have strong feelings for the Walker now and can basically exchange my SS 1858 and parts I have and still buy some stuff for it such as a holster and extra nipples.

I appolgize for the long post, but I feel like I 'm in the dark and need to clarify some things for myself. If I wasn't on watch today I would hop on the bike and cruise up there alone. This time stuck here is allowing me to try and get some opinions before I jump off the cliff again. As it stands I'm going to go with the Walker now if they still have them in stock, if not I'll just order one.

 

[pohill]

Any time I have a problem with a new gun, I call the importer (Pietta =Traditions, Uberti = Taylors). I have never returned the gun to the store where I bought it. Taylors and Traditions keep track of the serial numbers of the guns they sell and they warranty them for a year. The few times I have called each company, they have given me the option of returning the gun to them for repair or replacement, or receive new parts. I've received new parts for the guns at no charge (hands, bolts, even a new hammer). I'd rather fix a new gun than replace it (if the problems are minor). You can replace a gun and end up with a new set of problems.
Walkers are great guns - the only probem with mine is that the loading lever drops during shooting (the same as the originals). A minor problem. The size of the Walker allows it to easily handle the black powder loads I use (about 55 grs). I do not use 777. I do not think the Walker is an everyday shooter due to its size and powder consumption (some would disagree).
Would I return the Remington for a Walker? No. I'd get both. But I would contact the importer and ask them to fix the gun or send replacement parts.

 

[grymster]

The loading lever on my Pietta '58 kept dropping after firing a load with >30gr BP and/or with cartridge rounds out of the conversion cylinder. I very carefully filled the latch until it fit better and have not experienced the problem since.

 

[bobby n.]

id go for the walker.

 

[Hellgate]

Stick with the Remington or get both. You will find the Walker to be a lot of fun but they are cumbersome to shoot and are not designed for volume shooting in CAS matches. They will wear out more quickly and if you overload them they'll shoot loose or at the very least, require the crushed wedges to be replaced (been there, done that on two Walkers using 50grs FFFg+.454 ball during a single match). The LAST thing I would do is load up a full chamber/cylinder with 777. I know of one fellow who did and the barrel assembly went down range. The gun came apart at the wedge cutout on the cylinder pin. I shoot my two Walkers in about one match per year at a two day annual shoot. Otherwise it is my Uberti or Euroarms remingtons that are daily shooters. In the Walkers I shoot 44grs FFg which is a lower pressure powder. The rammer fall is easily fixed on either gun. You can have plenty of fun with Remingtons and 30grs powder+ball or 200gr conical.
Did your rammer fall OFF THE GUN or just drop from its latch under the barrel?

As difficult as it may seem, I'd recommend you leave the topless chick at the bar and take the reliable Remington home.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

That's why Pietta put on the side of the barrel "Black Powder Only". Don't tell um you used 777. Warranty is void. I'm very surprized it did that with 20 by volume of 777 though...this is a .44 cal right?
It took 28gr of Tr7ple to knock the wedge out of an 1860 Pietta Colt Army .44 and shear the locating pins on the frame clean off. I prefer the Remingtons myself had 11 Rems before I recently picked up a Walker. If you can exchange the Rem I'd suggest the fixed sights. If not trade for the Walker(it's too heavy to carry all day)...
I have not had a loading lever or anything fall off a my Rems ... my favored is the Euroarms '58 .44 got 4 a them one in the white, a stainless, a very old but best a the bunch '58 Armi San Paolo(early Euroarms)<<<.44's, a Euroarms .36, one very nice and smooth Uberti.44, 2 E.N. Santa Barbaras, an ASM engraved and Plated in a case, 2 Pietta's now my Son's a .44 Target, and a .36 Police 6 1/2bbl.
And a Bunch a Colts...I like um l but Remingtons jus' a lil' more.

Either way man which ever you get you'll get the other one next time.

SG

 

[mykeal]

Don't tell um you used 777. Warranty is void.

SG - I've never heard of Pietta, or any other manufacturer, voiding a warranty over the use of 777 or any other substitute black powder. When did they start that?

Pohill - I would never do business with a retailer that would not accept returns on defective merchandise; with respect to black powder guns, the only one I've found that wouldn't is Cheaperthandirt. The retailer sold it and is responsible for providing merchandise that meets his advertisement. They're much easier to deal with than the original manufacturer in every case.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Keep the Remington and buy the Walker. Get some Goex black powder or at least some Pyrodex P

Triple 7 does not like to be compressed. Getting a consistent seating pressure with a revolver mounted ram can be difficult, particularly for a newer shooter. Check this warning from Hodgdon.
If you like the 1858, you well love the Walker.

 

[pohill]

Pohill - I would never do business with a retailer that would not accept returns on defective merchandise; with respect to black powder guns, the only one I've found that wouldn't is Cheaperthandirt. The retailer sold it and is responsible for providing merchandise that meets his advertisement. They're much easier to deal with than the original manufacturer in every case.

Both places that sold me the guns (Kittery Trading Post and Midway) said that they would take the guns back, no problem. They would then send the guns back to the importer (Traditions or Taylors) and have it fixed or replaced. I skipped the middleman by going directly to the importer each time. You can deal with the retailer if you want - I found it easier and quicker to deal with the importer directly (not the manufacturer). Traditions and Taylors are very good people to deal with.

 

[bluffskier]

Thankyou for your replies, I will have both guns in the end. I find it very hard to argue the point of getting 2 BP revolvers right now with the wife when I'm getting shipped off to Deigo Gargia for a year this spring/ early summer time frame. I'm definately bringing my 14/0 Senator and going for a monster marlin. Can't wait, don't tell the ole lady that though.

I would keep the gun and work through the problems, but my time is limited in a way. I called Cabela's and they had 2 Walkers left, so I reserved one and will be passing by there on Friday going hunting. I think I'll stick to more docile powders such as APP or Pyrodex from now on, and it's pretty cheap too. I picked up 2 pounds of APP for $13.99 a pound. Se7en= $25.99 per pound.

The part that fell off was the little clip that keeps the loading lever secured in one place. and yea it came off completely. It was laying in the dust when I looked down.

 

[arcticap]

I prefer the APP fffg because the APP granulations are much larger.

 

[Coyote Rider]

I used to practically dream at night about owning a Walker until I borrowed one from a friend and discovered how dern heavy they are. And the loading lever dropped every time I fired a round. And it burns up a lot of powder.

I haven't wanted a Walker since.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

SG - I've never heard of Pietta, or any other manufacturer, voiding a warranty over the use of 777 or any other substitute black powder. When did they start that?

Ever since they started puttin' Black Powder only on the Revovlers. An aqaintance, some years ago brought in his fired revolver and it broke while shooting. Aparently he told the Shop what he was shootin' and it weren't black powder. He was told it voided the warranty.
Technically the stop and read sheet that comes with a new revolver I do believe mentions that. I have two Piettas in boxes with the paper work, will dig um up tomorrow.
If you give out no more information than needed it would be best not to say it was loaded with 777. In my opinion.

SG

 

[mykeal]

So you are assuming that 'Black Powder Only' refers to real black powder and not synthetics such as Pyrodex and 777?

Cabela's Customer Service (by telephone at 800-237-4444 says the use of 777 or other synthetic black powders does not void the manufacturer's warranty as far as they are concerned; they say the black powder reference is to exclude the use of smokeless powder, not synthetic black powders.

I think your acquaintance was being scammed by the shop. They probably thought he was using smokeless.